Estimating Manager

Ontic Engineering & Manufacturing Inc; California (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical insurance

Competitive PTO, holiday pay, and sick

Company 401K plan with up to 4%

Annual bonus program

Flexible working arrangements

Paid volunteering opportunities

Mental health champions

Commitment to development

Employee referral program

Job summary

Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing Inc. in Chatsworth, CA, seeks an Estimating Manager to lead the estimating team and deliver detailed, accurate cost and lead-time estimates for materials, labor, tooling, and outside processing.

You will validate methods with cross-functional teams and drive data-driven improvements in estimating processes. You will partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Pricing, and Programs to ensure accurate BOMs, lead times, and cost

Qualifications

• 7+ years of aerospace or complex manufacturing estimating experience.
• Experience leading, developing, and holding a team accountable.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, BOMs and routings.
• Knowledge of FAR Part 15.4 and cost/price analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage the Estimating team, including workload prioritization and accountability for quality and on-time delivery.
• Analyze and prepare detailed estimates for material, labor, tooling, equipment, outside processing, subcontracted work, NRE, and lead times.
• Develop multi-level indented and consolidated BOMs and obtain supplier costs and lead times.
• Review RFQ/proposal requirements, identify risks, and coordinate supplier quotations with stakeholders.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Pricing, and Programs to validate methods, labor, tooling, and costs.
• Prepare clear cost and lead-time summaries with key assumptions and risk factors for approval.

Skills

Estimating

Leadership

BOM analysis

Cost analysis

Planning & scheduling

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Excel

Job description

We are a fast-paced business with ambitious growth plans; so if you are dedicated, enthusiastic and always seeking ways to improve, you'll enjoy a career with us! Ontic is a leading global aerospace OEM trusted by the world’s aviation leaders. Ontic’s Chatsworth, CA, site specializes in precision engineering, MRO, and new solutions for parts at risk of obsolescence. With over 1,300 employees across four time zones and seven sites, we have more than doubled in size since 2019 and are continuing to grow at pace. Our team is looking for an Estimating Manager to join them. You will report to the Director of Revenue Management and will have an onsite work structure in Chatsworth, CA. To be considered for the Estimating Manager opening, here’s what you’ll need to bring with you: 7+ years of aerospace or complex manufacturing estimating experience, including material requirements, multi-level indented bills of material (BOMs), labor hours, manufacturing processes, and lead times. Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and holding a technical or estimating team accountable. Strong working knowledge of manufacturing processes, including machined parts, castings, forgings, electric motors, assembly, testing, tooling, and outside processing. Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, BOMs, routings, and other engineering documentation. Working knowledge of Government and Commercial estimating and pricing techniques. Basic knowledge of FAR Part 15.4, including certified cost or pricing data requirements under FAR 15.403-4 and the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data statute (formerly TINA). Working knowledge of cost and price analysis, including evaluation of supplier quotations, proposals, and supporting cost data. Strong analytical skills with experience using ERP/MRP systems, Excel, historical manufacturing data, and other data sources to develop and validate estimates. Ability to clearly communicate estimating assumptions, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to technical and business leadership.

You will:

• Lead, develop, and manage the Estimating team, including workload prioritization, performance expectations, coaching, cross-training, and accountability for quality and on-time delivery.
• Analyze and prepare detailed, accurate estimates for material, labor, tooling, equipment, outside processing, subcontracted work, NRE, and manufacturing lead times.
• Develop multi-level indented and consolidated BOMs and obtain supporting supplier costs and lead times required to support proposals.
• Review RFQ and proposal requirements, identify estimating risks and information gaps, and coordinate supplier quotation requirements with Supply Chain and other stakeholders.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Pricing, and Program teams to validate manufacturing methods, labor requirements, tooling, materials, costs, and lead‑time assumptions.
• Use historical actuals, work‑order data, supplier quotes, engineering inputs, and manufacturing knowledge to develop, validate, and challenge estimating assumptions.
• In conjunction with Manufacturing Engineering, determine the materials, labor, tooling, and lead time required to manufacture parts and supporting production tooling.
• Prepare clear cost and lead‑time summaries that identify key assumptions, risks, and supporting rationale for Pricing and leadership approval.
• Maintain complete proposal packages and supporting documentation demonstrating the basis of estimate for material, labor, cost, and lead time.
• Perform cost and price analysis of supplier quotations and proposals as required.
• Attend on-site pre-bid/proposal conferences and site visits as required.
• Maintain and improve KPIs covering estimating backlog, turnaround time, on‑time delivery, estimate accuracy, aging, and workload.
• Identify process gaps and improvement opportunities, develop recommendations, and implement standard work to improve estimating quality, efficiency, and consistency.
• Drive automation and improved use of data within the estimating process to reduce manual effort and improve decision quality.
• Establish, document, and communicate clear estimating processes, standards, and expectations to ensure consistent execution across the team.
• Hold the team accountable for performance and provide regular coaching and feedback on goals, priorities, quality, and development.
• Independently resolve obstacles within the team’s area of responsibility while escalating significant cost, schedule, supplier, technical, or process risks when appropriate.
• Report estimating performance, process integrity, risks, and resource needs to Revenue Management and site leadership.

Our Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical insurance
• Competitive PTO, holiday pay, and sick leave
• Company 401K plan with up to 4% matched contribution
• Annual bonus program (varies by level and is discretionary based on company and individual performance)
• Flexible working arrangements
• Paid volunteering opportunities
• Access to mental health champions across our sites
• Commitment to development
• Employee referral program

Compensation Pay Range $120,000 - $140,000

This position requires access to U.S. export‑controlled information.

EOE/AA Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Disability/Veteran Compensation

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Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person ” as defined by 22. C.F.R. §120.15 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee.

Ontic is a leading manufacturer to the world’s civil and military aircraft. By becoming the OEM to critical parts others originally developed, we provide continuity, availability and longevity to our customers’ fleets, supporting them for a lifetime of flight. Through our in‑house manufacturing and engineering, MRO, spares, and AOG support, we ensure certified, safety‑critical components remain available, compliant, and reliable across the full operational life of the aircraft we support. We use our expertise and experience to reduce supply chain risk, improve production outputs and deliver for our customers, so they can keep their aircraft flying now and in the future.